The HP t5720 is a perfect environment for running MagicJack, as well as a number of other programs. They're ideal because they're small, they consumer very little power and they don't have a fan, so they're totally silent in operation. In addition to running MagicJack, mine is running an FTP server, a VNC server (for remote access to my LAN), HP Copy (a utility that works with my scanner and functions like a copy machine), various LAN support tools, and even standard applications like FireFox 3. You can find the t5720 on eBay very inexpensively (I paid $150 for mine). If you want to use the t5720 with more software than just the MagicJack, be sure to get one with at least 512 meg of non-volatile RAM for the OS and 512 meg of RAM for the RAM drive.

However, the t5720 may not work "out of the box" with MagicJack or for other purposes. This is an outline of how to get it working for everything. It assumes basic familiarity with the t5720. If you're new to the idea of thin clients or this particular unit, be sure to download and read the t5720 manuals here and here. These procedures may also work for other HP thin clients, e.g. the t5710 and t5730. However, I haven't tested them on other machines -- proceed at your own risk if you're using a different thin client.

This process assumes you're logged on as the Administrator. Read the manual for directions on how to do that. You can use the HP Logon Manager in the Control Panel so that the t5720 always logs on to the Administrator account. You may also find it helpful to disable the Sygate firewall software, either by exiting it or, in the Sygate options, keeping it from installing when Windows XPe loads at all. If you're running behind a hardware router a software firewall is more of a pair of suspenders to wear with your belt, anyway.

2. Remove unnecessary components. You want to make as much room as possible in the t5720's non-volatile memory by removing software you don't need. You can safely remove, at least, these (and you can remove other components that you won't need):

Run dxDiag.exe after installing DirectX 9.0c. This is just a diagnostic program but, for some reason, it is a necessary step for MagicJack to run on the thin client.

4. Make sure that the operating system uses the audio system on the t5720. Follow these steps:

a. From the start menu, click on Remote Desktop.
b. Click on the Options button.
c. Click on Local Resources tab.
d. Under "Sound" make sure the setting is "Leave on remote computer."

5. Prepare for the MagicJack. At one point, the Magicjack firmware did not work with some t720 clients. It was necessary to use an older version and edit the HOSTS file to prevent the Magicjack from automatically upgrading. As of the date of this edit, the latest firmware works just fine. If, for some reason, you find that it doesn't, here's what you do: If you search on this website, you can find links to download the correct upgrade.exe file that restores the MagicJack to earlier firmware. However, before you install it to the MagicJack, you must configure your t5720 so that the MagicJack doesn't automatically upgrade itself. You do this by editing the HOSTS file. Find the file by using the search function. Once search has found it, right click on it and select Edit. Add this line to the bottom of the file:

0.0.0.0 upgrade.talk4free.com

This is not a necessary step unless you have problems.

6. Make sure everything is written to the non-volatile RAM by right-clicking the green lock symbol in the system tray and then re-booting the t5720.

7. Now you are ready to install the MagicJack. Just plug it into one of the t5720's USB ports and it will install automatically. If it doesn't, and you get the "New Hardware Found" screen that asks you to identify drivers, then you have not performed all these steps -- your t5720 has the original XPe operating system, which makes installing the MagicJack very difficult and beyond the scope of this document (general process: you need a full XP Pro installation disk, the SP2 update file downloadable from Microsoft as well as a means of extracting CAB files from the update file-- it's much easier to simply update the t5720 to the latest OS, which is free and available at the link I posted above).

The MagicJack will install but, if it has the latest firmware, you'll get an error message indicating that "No audio devices" were found. Now run the older upgrade.exe file and it will install the earlier firmware. Unplug the MagicJack, commit everything and re-boot the t5720. When you plug in the MagicJack it should now be working.

Note: If you want to leave the MagicJack connected to the t5720 all the time, you may have to connect it to the thin client by using a powered USB hub. The boot up sequence on some of the t5720s is such that it will not recognize the MagicJack on a re-boot unless you unplug it and plug it back in. Using a powered USB avoids this problem. Again, I can't figure out why this is necessary on some t5720s, but not on others. Again, my batting average is .500 -- my t5720 at work reboots fine without a powered USB hub, whereas my t5720 at home will lock up unless the MagicJack (and USB external drives) are connected via a powered hub.

That's it! If all you want to do is run MagicJack on the t5720, you can stop here. If you want it to do other things, however, here is how you do it:

1. Get some disk space. Either plug in a USB external drive or a USB thumb drive, or map the t5720 to a network drive. This drive space will be used for program installation and operation.

2. Change environment variables.When Windows installs or runs a program, it makes use of temporary disk storage defined by the TEMP and TMP environmental variables. These should be changed to point to a directory on the extra drive space you created in 1, above. In Control Panel, double click on the System icon. Select the Advanced tab and then click the Environmental Variables button. You'll see in the top window variable definitions the look like this: TEMP c:\windows\system32\temp, etc. Edit both the TEMP and TMP variables so that they point a location on the additional disk space. On my system, which uses a network drive, they look like this:

TEMP w:\thin client\temp
TMP w:\thin client\temp

3. Define a place to install programs on the additional disk. I just created a folder called PROGRAMS for this purpose, i.e. w:\thin client\programs. When you install new software, always select the "custom" option, which usually allows you to define an installation directory. Just change the default (usually c:\Program Files) to the directory you've created.

4. Change group policies. There are a number of features of XP Pro that exist in XPe, but are hidden by the group policy settings. You can access many of these as follows:

In the Start Menu, select RUN. Type: GPEDIT.MSC and hit enter. The Group Policy editor will open. Expand User Configuration - Administrator Templates. You can start working your way through each of the settings and decide which ones you want to enable or disable -- Windows provides an explanation of what each one does.

5. Create a Recycle Bin. XPe doesn't have a Recycle Bin. However, you can easily create a functional equivalent. Use the Search (Advanced) feature to find the RECYCLER folder on the c: drive. When you find it, simply drag it to the Desktop and drop it there. It will look like a folder, rather than the customary Recycle Bin. Right click on the folder on your desktop, and select Properties. In the Properties window, select the Customize tab. At the bottom of the Customize screen is a button called "Change icon." Click on it and a window will open with lots of different icons. Pick the one you like by clicking on it and pressing the Apply button. This Recycle bin won't let you automatically delete as in full XP. However, you can open it as any folder and restore the files that are in it, or simply delete them to remove them permanently.

6. Delete unwanted programs. As you've noticed by now, Windows XPe lacks a number of features, including the Add/Remove software option. Download the free program Glary Utilities from here. It does a better job than the equivalent Windows utility (it deletes "leftover" files) and has some other nice tools as well.

That's it for now. If people are interested, as I get time, I'll post more t5720 discoveries.

Your instructions ae very well laid out and informative. There are a couple of other threads in the tips, tricks and hacks forum regarding this very subject. The bottom line is that your t5720 can used with MJ without editing the hosts file. After installing the latest version of DirectX and running dxdiag, your 5720 should be able to accept all MJ updates without worry.

Your instructions ae very well laid out and informative. There are a couple of other threads in the tips, tricks and hacks forum regarding this very subject. The bottom line is that your t5720 can used with MJ without editing the hosts file. After installing the latest version of DirectX and running dxdiag, your 5720 should be able to accept all MJ updates without worry.

Take a peek at the forum and give it a shot.

Thanks, lymon. Unfortunately, simply installing DirectX wasn't enough to get my t5720 running (dxdiag is just a test and diagnosis program, I think -- it doesn't change any configurations). I actually spent quite a bit of time here reading through all of the threads on the t5720 -- there are a lot that feature tips, including installation of DirectX, but, though some tips seem to work for some people, they don't work for others (including me). As far as I know, what I wrote above is the only way to guarantee that MagicJack will work (and gathered in one place -- I can't take credit for most of the MagicJack techniques; I found them in other threads).

This is a terrific forum and I'm delighted to be a part of it. Without it, I doubt if I would have been able to get my t5720 working. I didn't see a lot on other uses for the t5270. I figured that, as long as it's up and running for MagicJack, I should try to stretch its functionality as much as possible. For example, I've found a technique for installing FireFox so that it saves bookmarks, passwords, history and other variable data outside of the c: drive, so it's not necessary to commit after each FireFox session.

Weird. Dxdiag fixed the update problem on my T5700. I have no clue why it worked, as I thought that it was just a test/diagnosis utility too. Sorry that it does not work on your T5720. You're probably not missing much in the way updates, I really don't notice any big difference with the updates that I've gotten.

ummm .... PTravel, nice presentation tho been covered. Nice manipulation of your softphone except for one thing. At the bottom....... Now everyone knows where you live (911 address). Don't worry, I've screwed-up like that b4 too. Thought I had all my base covered to find out I didn't._________________Maintenance of YOUR machine IS everything
MY Newer Newest SetupAlternative MJ Forum

ummm .... PTravel, nice presentation tho been covered. Nice manipulation of your softphone except for one thing. At the bottom....... Now everyone knows where you live (911 address). Don't worry, I've screwed-up like that b4 too. Thought I had all my base covered to find out I didn't.

hi
I have a question regarding my HP T5700 256/256 thin client.
Can i stream movies from netflix using T5700.I am planning to upgrade it to 512 RAM and 2 GB Flash.
Netflix requires min 3 GB of free disk space and i was thinking if I can plug in a 4GB USB drive and point the D:\temp folder there.
Will that work and make it meet the min requirements for streaming netflix to my LCD TV ?

Your instructions are very well laid out and informative. There are a couple of other threads in the tips, tricks and hacks forum regarding this very subject. The bottom line is that your t5720 can used with MJ without editing the hosts file. After installing the latest version of DirectX and running dxdiag, your 5720 should be able to accept all MJ updates without worry.

Take a peek at the forum and give it a shot.

lymon, PTravel,

I too have modded several T5720 units and they all worked well with DirectX and the previous update that requires DirectX and they continue to work with the latest update. The running DXdiag does fix the "No Audio Device Found" problem. I have no idea why but it does. Also the MJ Programmers gave me a beta update several weeks back that made it unnecessary to run DXdiag to get things running and that worked as they hoped it would. I was also told by someone today that they have incorporated the DirectX fix in the new update Version 1.80.4471.3124. I have not personally tried it but I am pretty sure they did incorporate the fix considering the experience of the person that told me "it was so". The next T5720 (00 or 10) I bring up I will personally verify this and report back.

PTravel, I don't think staying with the older update versions is a good idea. The previous update prior to the version I listed here (for me) made some very noticeable improvements, as did the one they have up now. I have no objective examples at the moment but I do know subjectively speaking that my MJ is now performing as it did almost a month back which was damn near perfect and that is not just a statement for the T5720 but (for me) includes the T5700 and T5710 units as well. In fact my personal statement to most people that ask me which of the three models is best suited for MJ my response is that they all run MJ equally well. I personally don't like the T5700 because of the USB 1.1 ports and as far as the T5730 I would love to have one because it uses DDR2 RAM which can be purchased much cheaper than DDR ram i.e. 512 DDR RAM at Best Buy $60 dollars, 512 DDR2 RAM $12 dollars - "Go Figure". However even with that differential in memory cost it doesn't make up for the $450 dollar price tag of the T5730. But I keep loosing site of the Geeks Primary Directive "He with the most toys wins" (a word or two intentionally left out) and may have to break down and get a T5730 just because I can.

Now that I am thru motor mouthing I will give you the same Kudos as Mr. Lymon. A very nice presentation Mr. PTravel, and I will even go as far to say that I am envious of people like yourself that have the skill to layout an instruction document that is smooth and stays on course creating the illusion that pictures and screen clips were included via it's textual clarity. OohRah !_________________- George -

hi
I have a question regarding my HP T5700 256/256 thin client.
Can i stream movies from netflix using T5700.I am planning to upgrade it to 512 RAM and 2 GB Flash.
Netflix requires min 3 GB of free disk space and i was thinking if I can plug in a 4GB USB drive and point the D:\temp folder there.
Will that work and make it meet the min requirements for streaming netflix to my LCD TV ?

Of course my magic jack will also be running simultaneously.

Thanks.

I don't know about a T5700. I've been viewing Youtube and Vimeo streaming video on one of my T5720s, and I have another one that feeds 1080p to my HDTV through a DVI-equipped graphics card -- it handles the video absolutely flawlessly from USB hard drives. The only problem with the USB thumb drives is that they are rather slow. I use 4 gb Kingston Data Travelers for temp folders and for some limited software, e.g. FireFox -- this allows updating bookmarks, storing passwords, etc. without having to constantly commit to the c-drive -- but I've found it to be on the slow side. I don't doubt that the t5700 CPU is up to the task, though.

Last edited by PTravel on Mon Aug 18, 2008 2:11 pm; edited 1 time in total

Your instructions are very well laid out and informative. There are a couple of other threads in the tips, tricks and hacks forum regarding this very subject. The bottom line is that your t5720 can used with MJ without editing the hosts file. After installing the latest version of DirectX and running dxdiag, your 5720 should be able to accept all MJ updates without worry.

Take a peek at the forum and give it a shot.

lymon, PTravel,

I too have modded several T5720 units and they all worked well with DirectX and the previous update that requires DirectX and they continue to work with the latest update. The running DXdiag does fix the "No Audio Device Found" problem. I have no idea why but it does. Also the MJ Programmers gave me a beta update several weeks back that made it unnecessary to run DXdiag to get things running and that worked as they hoped it would. I was also told by someone today that they have incorporated the DirectX fix in the new update Version 1.80.4471.3124. I have not personally tried it but I am pretty sure they did incorporate the fix considering the experience of the person that told me "it was so". The next T5720 (00 or 10) I bring up I will personally verify this and report back.

PTravel, I don't think staying with the older update versions is a good idea. The previous update prior to the version I listed here (for me) made some very noticeable improvements, as did the one they have up now. I have no objective examples at the moment but I do know subjectively speaking that my MJ is now performing as it did almost a month back which was damn near perfect and that is not just a statement for the T5720 but (for me) includes the T5700 and T5710 units as well. In fact my personal statement to most people that ask me which of the three models is best suited for MJ my response is that they all run MJ equally well. I personally don't like the T5700 because of the USB 1.1 ports and as far as the T5730 I would love to have one because it uses DDR2 RAM which can be purchased much cheaper than DDR ram i.e. 512 DDR RAM at Best Buy $60 dollars, 512 DDR2 RAM $12 dollars - "Go Figure". However even with that differential in memory cost it doesn't make up for the $450 dollar price tag of the T5730. But I keep loosing site of the Geeks Primary Directive "He with the most toys wins" (a word or two intentionally left out) and may have to break down and get a T5730 just because I can.

Now that I am thru motor mouthing I will give you the same Kudos as Mr. Lymon. A very nice presentation Mr. PTravel, and I will even go as far to say that I am envious of people like yourself that have the skill to layout an instruction document that is smooth and stays on course creating the illusion that pictures and screen clips were included via it's textual clarity. OohRah !

Thanks! If I get some time this weekend, I'll try running the latest upgrade against the MJ on the t5720 that required the LMHOSTS edit.

I've gone a little nuts with t5720s. I have four of them now. One is at work, running an MJ and working as a NAS, the other three are at home, one an MJ, NAS, FTP server, VNC server, one an internet appliance (rather odd using it how it was designed), and one as a media player for my HDTV. I've been lusting over the t5730 just for the DVI ports alone -- getting DVI graphics going on the t5720 was quite a project.

I'm having such a good time with these thin clients, I'm thinking of starting a website for them -- the focus would be on applications like using them with MJ and other "non-standard" uses, rather than as the Citrix/RDP devices they were intended to be. I really like the idea of an entirely solid-state computer, no fans, no moving parts, etc. I've been picking them up on eBay -- cheapest one was $100, most expensive was $169, all in.

The thought of a Thin Client Forum sounds pretty slick. Please let me know if you ever get one going.

"A little nuts, I have four" if you are concerned that that may be an indication of some obsessive-compulsive behavior then I am in big trouble and will probably require counseling. _________________- George -